Chapter Twenty-One – RADIATION HAZARDS
TRUE OR FALSE: Place T or F in the space provided.
_____1. Radiation hazards in the workplace fall into three categories: alpha,
beta, and gamma.
_____2. A dose is the amount of ionizing radiation absorbed per unit of mass
by part of the body or the whole body.
_____3. Rem is a measure of the dose of ionizing radiation to body tissue
stated in terms of its estimated biological e!ect relative to a dose of one
roentgen of X-rays.
_____4. For the exposure of employees to radiation during any calendar
quarter, the dose to the whole body must not exceed three rems.
_____5. There are only three acceptable ways to dispose of radioactive waste.
_____6. Companies that produce, use, store, and/or transport radioactive
materials might have a signal-generating system that can warn of the need
for evacuation.
_____7. The most common source of ultraviolet radiation is the sun.
_____8. The major concern about electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is its
relationship to cancer.
_____9. The universal color scheme for causation signs and labels warning of
radiation hazards is purple or magenta superimposed on a yellow
background.
_____10. An incident is defined by OSHA as an exposure of the whole body of
any individual to 25 rems or more of radiation.
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Circle the letter before the correct answer.
1. How many rems per calendar quarter is the limit of exposure for the hands
and forearms?
A. 7.5 rems
B. 18.75 rems
C. 1.25 rems
D. 3.75 rems
2. Companies involved in producing, using, storing, handling, and/or
transporting radioactive materials must inform how many employees of
existing radiation hazards?
A. 1 – 5 employees
B. 6 – 10 employees
C. 11 – 50 employees
D. All employees
3. An incident must be reported when which of the following occur?
A. Exposure of the whole body exceeds 25 rems or more
B. Exposure of the skin of the whole body exceeds 150 rems or more
C. Exposure of the feet, ankles, hands, or forearms exceed 375 rems or
more
D. All of the above
4. Which of the following agencies assist OSHA in regulation radiation
exposure?
A. NLRB
B. NRA
C. AFL-CIO
D. NRC
5. If an accident occurs, employers are required to follow up with a written
report within how many days?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 180 days
D. 90 days
10. T
5. A
1. De7ne the following terms and concepts relating to ionizing radiation;
radiation, restricted area, dose, rem, radiation area.
2. What is the maximum dose of radiation allowed to the whole body during
a calendar quarter for a 17-year–old individual?
3. Explain the requirements of employers regarding the use of personal
monitoring devices.
Employers must conduct comprehensive surveys to identify and
evaluate radiation hazards present in the workplace from any and all
sources.
Employers must provide appropriate personal monitoring devices
such as 7lm badges, pocket chambers, pocket dosimeters, and 7lm rings.
Employers must require the use of appropriate personal monitoring
devices by the following: a) any employee who enters a restricted area
where he or she is likely to receive a dose greater than 25 percent of
the total limit of exposure specified for a calendar quarter; b) any
employee 18 years of age or less who enters a restricted area where he
or she is likely to receive a dose greater than 5 percent of the total limit of
exposure specified for a calendar quarter; and c) any employee who enters
4. List the situations in which caution signs are required of employers.
5. Describe, in OSHA’s language, the required evacuation warning signal.
6. How should radioactive material be treated when stored in a nonrestricted
area?
7. Describe the incidents that require immediate noti7cation concerning
radiation overexposure.
8. List the required contents in a written report of radiation overexposure.
9. De7ne the term nonionizing radiation.
10. What are the primary sources of concern regarding nonionizing radiation?
11. Describe the anecdotal and scientific evidence linking EMR to cancer.
12. What does the Nuclear Regulatory Commission do?
